Scrubs -Bath and Body Works - Cashmere Glow Golden Sugar Scrub
besidetheocean 1/7/2013 12:56:00 PM
Wow this scent is strong! If I used the scrub, the lotion, and the body spray all at once I'd knock someone over. Using the scrub alone is plenty. It smells very nice and my skin is really smooth and exfoliated after. But if you don't like scents from shower products to linger, I'd avoid this one. you're like me, and want to use this in place of perfume, it's perfect.
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Skincare - Face -Unlisted Brand - Accutane (by prescription)
besidetheocean 12/23/2012 8:48:00 AM
I've had problems with acne since I was 14. I tried everything but Accutane, honestly because it scared me and I went for a while without insurance. Just this year I got insurance, went to a dermatologist to get a prescription for more Tazorac, and he suggested Accutane. He had taken it himself and was able to be very clear about all the possible side effects. I went on it for 5 months and it is the BEST decision I've made when it comes to my skin. There are side effects. I have to carry chapstick everywhere, and feel desperate if I forget it because my lips get so dry. I have to use moisturizer daily, where before it was rarely necessary. I got cracks at the corner of my lips that were very painful and took a while to go away (just the one time). My eyes are dry and I have to carry eye drops with me also. Due to this, I get styes very easily. I had a couple pretty bad headaches at first until my body got used to the medication. To me though, the most stressful thing was figuring out how to schedule two Dr. appointments per month: one for a pregnancy test and one for bloodwork to make sure it want raising my cholesterol. But after all of that, everything was worth it and I would take it again in a heartbeat. My skin is so clear I don't know what to do with myself. Before it was so easily agitated and I couldn't wear most makeup including eyeshadow and blush because it would break me out. Now I can wear whatever I want without having to worry. Before I hated for anyone to see me without makeup. If I had people over I would wake up early to put on some foundation before they saw my skin. It pretty much controlled my life. I decided whether or not I wanted to go out based on how my skin looked that day. Accutane saved me. Yes, it can have very scary and dangerous consequences, but it also WORKS and has the power to change lives. I would recommend it to anyone who has tried everything else without improvement. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to stop acne in it's tracks before it gets out if control, like I wish I had done 15 years ago.
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Shampoo -Organix - Ever Straight Brazilian Keratin Therapy
besidetheocean 8/12/2012 9:28:00 AM
I bought this shampoo on a whim just because I liked the scent. It smells wonderful! I wish I could find a perfume that smells this good. I was also surprised by how moisturizing it is. I usually wash my hair at night and then sleep on it braided. I have not had a bad hair day since using this product and I've gotten so many compliments. When I bought the shampoo I didn't realize it was meant to help straighten hair. Mine is naturally wavy, and it's still just as wavy while using this. That's fine by me, but someone who us looking for a straightening shampoo would be disappointed. I'm giving it five stars because I can go into a drugstore and get a product that gives me the results of something I'd get at a salon. You can't beat that.
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Cleansers -Unlisted Brand - Authentic African Black Soap-Product of West Africa
besidetheocean 6/13/2011 3:36:00 PM
I love natural and organic beauty products, and after reading all the great reviews of African black soap I had to try it. I ordered mine from Ebay seller natureandherbs because it was listed as "handmade in Ghana West Africa". It was delivered on a 90-degree day when I was out of town, so when I opened up the plastic tub the texture was very mushy. From what I read about it, it's supposed to be a solid chunk of soap. It's still mushy even after being in the air conditioning, but I actually like it that way. It makes it very easy to scoop out and apply. I only use a dime-sized amount for my face and that is plenty. It lathers very well and I absolutely love the smell. It's hard to describe, but it's exactly what you would think natural soap should smell like. After rinsing, my skin was a little tight and stung the tiniest bit, but it was not uncomfortable. I'll have to wait and see if it helps with breakouts and acne scarring, but so far I like it a lot. I plan to start using it as shampoo also, and will update when I do.
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Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Escentric Molecules Escentric 01
besidetheocean 6/1/2011 5:20:00 PM
When I first sprayed this it smelled like tomatoes and then turned into exactly what I imagine when I think of generic perfume. I mean, it's a single aroma that's used in several other perfumes so I shouldn't have been surprised. It's fine but I guess I just wanted to try something unique and special. To my unsophisticated nose this smells just like everything else. I'm glad I ordered a sample and not the full size.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Jennifer Aniston
besidetheocean 4/2/2011 6:10:00 PM
I got a sample of this and wasn't so sure about it at first. I sprayed it on my wrist and kept sniffing it throughout the day and it seemed a little too powdery or something. Well, today I sprayed this on the back of my neck and I can't get enough of it! I don't know if it's because my hair kind of tones it down or what, but wow. I'll be buying the full sized bottle and applying it this way from now on. I don't get so much a beach scent from this, but just fresh air, flowers and springtime. I think it's light enough for everyday and not overpowering at all. Very long-lasting as well.
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Fragrances -Parfums de Coeur - Body Fantasies Cotton Candy 
besidetheocean 3/4/2011 11:52:00 AM
So my boyfriend came home from work one day saying that his coworker's girlfriend smells really good and that I should buy whatever perfume she uses. I was just excited he actually LIKED a perfume so I told him to find out what it was. He reported back (from the male coworker) that it was Bath and Body Works cotton candy. I knew they didn't have a cotton candy scent so I figured it was this. He loves it and compliments me every time I use it (which is mostly after work and when I'm just around the house). I like it, but I don't see what the huge fuss is about. After so many bottles of higher priced perfume, of course he would like the $4 body spray! It reminds me of a lighter less offensive version of Pink Sugar and I like spraying it on my hair when I feel like it needs a little freshening up. I would recommend this if sweet scents don't bother you and definitely if you want male attention.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Alba Botanica - Unpetroleum Jelly 3.5 oz
besidetheocean 12/23/2010 10:11:00 AM
I get severely dry hands in the winter that crack and bleed. This had been sitting in my cabinet for a while and I decided to try it on my hands the other day. Amazing! I didn't like it very much the first time I tried to use it because it was so sticky. But applied to my hands it sinks in after about 10 minutes and then there's no stickiness whatsoever. It gets rid of the awful dryness and is even somewhat waterproof! I usually only reapply one other time during the day, and that's not even always necessary. Other lotions have worked for my hands in the past, but not as well as this and they're not as long-lasting. The only tiny detail is that I wish it wasn't called multi-purpose jelly because people have given me funny looks when they've seen the packaging. Other than that, this product is perfect.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Unlisted Brand - Micabella Eye Shadow- Diligence
besidetheocean 11/17/2010 11:47:00 AM
I received a sample of this eyeshadow in a swap and I've been using it off and on ever since as eyeliner. I love it! I have brown eyes and I think it does a good job of complementing them when I don't want something as harsh as black liner. I like that it has a little shimmer without being overly sparkly and it has great staying power. I plan to buy the full size once my sample runs out.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Face -Unlisted Brand - Tazorac
besidetheocean 8/30/2010 9:38:00 AM
My dermatologist gave me tons of samples of this after I told him I had used Tretinoin in the past with no improvement. He wanted me to try a stronger topical before resorting to Accutane, and I am so glad I did! I've only been using it for two weeks now, but I started seeing an improvement within the first couple days. I apply a pea sized amount nightly to my entire face, and I have had absolutely no irritation, peeling or redness. That's almost unheard of for me, since my skin is sensitive to pretty much everything. The red spots from previous breakouts seem much lighter and my skin has an overall smoothness that it hasn't had in a while. My doctor prescribed an antibiotic also, which has probably helped prevent any purging breakouts. I love Tazorac and will continue to use it as long as I can with hopefully the same results. UPDATE: It's been a little over a month now and I can say that the combination of Tazorac and an antibiotic has saved my skin! I haven't been able to say that about any other product EVER. I rarely break out with anything other than the smallest of spots anymore, and when I do they go away extremely fast. I will run out of the antibiotic soon and will update if that results in any breakouts. The Tazorac seems to be slowly fading my acne scars as well and I'm finally able to look forward to a completely clear complexion. That makes me want to cry because it's been such a long and difficult struggle with my skin. I love this stuff!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Aloe Vera plant
besidetheocean 7/15/2010 9:12:00 AM
Aloe is AMAZING! Right now I've got a pretty bad breakout that has caused one side of my face to look swollen. There was especially one huge pimple that just would not go away no matter what I tried. I bought a small aloe plant at the grocery store yesterday and broke off the tip of a lower leaf and squeezed it so the gel would come out. I dabbed it on the pimples and left it on overnight. This morning that huge pimple is almost completely flat, so I applied more today for extra moisture and to speed up healing. The only warning I can give about using aloe gel straight from the plant is to be sure to get the gel from the center of the leaf by either squeezing it or cutting it open. The stuff around it has an onion-like smell that's not very pleasant to have on your face, but the gel in the center is odorless. I can't believe I forgot how simple and effective aloe is for skin, and it only cost me a few dollars!
6 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Conditioner -The Body Shop - Banana Nourishing Conditioner
besidetheocean 5/21/2010 9:47:00 AM
Washing my hair is usually a chore since it's so long and thick, but this conditioner actually makes it enjoyable. It smells like banana popsicles and since it contains real banana puree it feels like I'm putting a smoothie in my hair (which oddly is a good thing) and it just soaks right in. It's ten times better than gooping on some thick chemically conditioner that either causes breakouts or doesn't produce results. It makes my hair soft and smooth and I love everything about it, including the pretty packaging. I paid $8.99 for 8.4 ounces. I don't mind paying a little more for good quality products, and this one is great!
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Skincare - Face -Kate Somerville - Eradikate Acne Spot Treatment
besidetheocean 5/5/2010 1:42:00 PM
This spot treatment works better than any other that I've tried. I can apply it to a pimple that's forming and it will keep it from coming to a head, and sometimes will make it disappear completely overnight. There are a few drawbacks, like the smell. It's terrible, and I find myself sniffing around trying to find where the stink is coming from until I realize it's me. It's slightly drying and the bottle could be just a tiny bit shorter so that when you stick a q-tip down into it you don't get residue from the opening onto your fingers. It also costs more than I like to pay for treatments, but despite all this it still gets 5 lippies because of how quickly and effectively it gets rid of pimples.
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Blush -Unlisted Brand - Cory Cosmetics Blush
besidetheocean 4/15/2010 9:27:00 AM
I was so happy to find a cosmetics company that has a line of mica-free blushes! I've developed a sensitivity to mica and it seems like it's in almost everything nowadays. I ordered a few different shades in the sample sizes: Deliverance, Haste, Justice, and Liberty and two bronzers: Bahama and Tahiti. The sample sizes are very generous in my opinion. They each come in a tiny ziploc bag but since a little goes a very long way I know they will last a while. I pour out just a few grains into the palm of my hand and apply with a blush brush, and even then the blush can look too heavy. So be very careful in how much you use. The color lasts all day long and looks just as good as when it was applied until I wash it off. I am really impressed with this blush, and have also ordered some mineral makeup from Cory that I'm excited to try. Deliverance: Very bright coral pink. I'd only use it at night when I'm going out. Too bright for daytime, in my opinion. Haste: Orange coral. Too orange for me, but I could see it working on some skin tones. Justice: Nice light coral. Still a little more orange than I would like, but it's very wearable. Liberty: Light rosy pink. I was looking for a dupe to my HG Milani Luminous (before the mica sensitivity) and this is the closest I've found from these samples. It's a very good dupe and I'll most likely order the full size of this shade. Tahiti: Way too light on my skin. I applied and applied but couldn't see a difference. Bahama: Perfect bronzer shade for me. I'll probably order the travel size when my sample runs out.
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Self Tanners -Hawaiian Tropic - Island Glow Daily Moisturizer [DISCONTINUED]
besidetheocean 4/9/2010 11:34:00 AM
I applied this last night, and I swear, after about 15 minutes I already saw a noticeable color difference. This morning I could tell my legs were a couple shades darker. It applied evenly but the smell is a little gross, which I'm sure is true of most self tanners. I don't notice any smell today. The only downside is the itchiness! My legs have been itching like crazy, and I know it's because of the lotion. I plan to apply more tonight anyway with a regular lotion on top which I hope will help with the itching. I'll update on that and also on how long the tan lasts.
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